Children are among the plaintiffs of a fourth class action filed against the company responsible for last week’s chemical leak in Melvindale. The plaintiffs in the latest lawsuit — who were evacuated from their homes and schools — accuse Reilly Plating of negligence, causing a nuisance and trespassing.
They are seeking more than $25,000 each in monetary damages and charge that the plant produced unreasonable odor and noise, damaged their property by releasing the chemical and interfered with their peace, comfort and right to use and enjoy their property.

An estimated 500 to 3,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid escaped Oct. 16 and forced the evacuation of about 3,000 residents.

According to court documents, the incident caused the plaintiffs “humiliation, outrage and indignity.”

The evacuation was a precaution government officials decided to take, Reilly Plating spokesman Leland Bassettcq both said Tuesday.

The company has been “a constructive and solid neighbor for 60 years,” he said. “All containment devices worked exactly as they’re designed to work.”